Back To The Continent . . . Pasaje

4-28-14

Galapagos District

Okay family so I got some interesting news for this week ha-ha. So this week we had an exciting conference, the Area president came and talked to us this week. He came to Ecuador, but didn’t have any plans on traveling to the Galapagos. So President decided to bring all of the missionaries from the Galapagos so they can be in the training. The 4 missionaries from Santa Cruz and the 2 missionaries from San Cristobal traveled down to the continent on Wednesday and we had the meeting on Thursday... 

A Picture Of Us Heading  Down To The Continent

. . This is where the story gets interesting. I guess May is a hard month to get flights organized and everything and president doesn't want me to accidentally get stuck on the island, so he decided to leave me here in the Continent so there won’t be any problems getting another missionary out to the island to replace me, and so that I don’t get stuck in the island while you guys travel down to pick me up. That’s a reason, and another reason is that they would have to spend money getting to the island, than in one month they  would have to bring me back because I’d be ending the mission.... so they did what makes sense.... they sent another missionionary to replace me and I’m back in the best sector in the mission..... PASAJE!!!! Ha-ha I came back to the sector where I was going to end the mission. This is the sector where I was at right before going to the Galapagos. I get here and I find out that the 5 baptismal dates I left here, everyone got baptized. Hahaha all the people that I was teaching got baptized, I’ve been visiting them and they all say "ELDER GATES YOU RETURNED!!"  ha-ha it`s been awesome!! I can’t wait to visit people in other sectors with you guys. I’m so psyched in going to Cuenca... that’s going to be a lot of fun!! So yeah I’m back here in Pasaje... but you know what, I’m happy. There is a lot of success here, Galapagos was by far the most beautiful sector that I have been in, and the members there are so legit. 

the first counselor of the branch. he`s my buddy

But I absolutely love the branch where I’m at right at, I’m actually serving as 1st counselor in the branch hahaha, it’s legit. I counted tithing on Sunday. I’m currently serving with Elder Maravilla. He`s from El Salvador. he`s cool. He was with Elder Barney (My last companion) and they baptized everyone that I left ha-ha. So yeah its fun being with someone who baptized everything.

The Baptism We Had Last Satuarday

Okay so last week we baptized a girl named Alejandra she`s 17. She is really cool. We are teaching her brother now. Her brother is 19 and could be a future missionary. We`ll see what happens with him.

The Girl's Family That Was Baptized

President Torres talked to me a little bit in the meeting we had with the Area president Elder Uceda. He pulled me to the side and said "You know I thought you were going to end the mission there, but I know there is someone waiting for you in Pasaje." Elder Ashton told me he felt bad bring me back from Galapagos because I was there for 1 month but you know, I know president Torres receives revelacion. I get here in Pasaje and we went and visited a less active family, it’s a mom with her 4 daughters, she`s been inactive for 14 years and she finally went to church for the first time in 14 years with all of her daughters on Sunday, we had a family home evening and I shared 3 Nephi 14 24-27. This is the parable of Jesus Christ with the Wise man and the foolish man. Ha-ha I shared that we need to be founded upon the rock, it was really cool. The mom cooked me a cake for my birthday.... ha-ha it was awesome. 

                          The Sisters Made Me A Cake For My Birthday - It Was An Apple Cake

It Was Their Birthday

I showed them a pic of the family and the mom thinks Dad is good looking...... so yeah watch out dad when we go visit them hahaha just kidding... but I was thinking last night... is this the family that president needed me to teach? I may not be baptizing them but we are bringing them back to church so maybe this is the family that I was sent her to teach. They are awesome!!! If we have time... we need to stop here in Pasaje and visit the people here also.

the Guilcapi Family. They own a store and always gives us food when we pass by

Well I learned a lot of good things from the meeting from Elder Uceda. He said that we need to trust Jesus Christ in all things. If we do that, he promises us we will have success in life in whatever we do. He also said something interesting... "There are no Disobedient gods in the heavens...." that really called my attention. I was really happy that I was able to hear his training. It gets me excited to finish my mission strong and start my life strong.. I plan on being a billionaire just to let you guys know :).

Okay family thanks so much for the emails!!! I love you guys a lot!!! We`ll be talking on mother’s day soon then we`ll be together soon ha-ha.  Oh and I was only able to buy 2 t-shirts from Galapagos. I didn`t get to buy anything else because I was in a huge hurry!! Just to let you know, that Iguana Statue cost 400 dollars, it’s made by hand and it was being sold in the airport so yeah that explains it... but I promise you we will buy something really cool in Guayaquil!!!!

Have a great week!!! Exito esta semana!!!! cuidense mucho!!